As the conflict continues to escalate in Middle East and with a also complex panorama in the war between Russia and Ukraine, Pope Francis referred to the growing violence in the world and called for a “an immediate ceasefire on all fronts, to give space to diplomacy and dialogue.” “Stop killing innocents!” he emphasized.
Once the Marian prayer of the Angelus for this Sunday has finished, the Supreme Pontiff repudiated both conflicts and emphasized: “War is a defeat for everyone, stop it, please! I ask that the UN peacekeepers be respected. I pray for all the victims and that the air attacks against the civilian population stop“.
In that sense, he requested that the hostages be released and let the two wars end. “I am close to all the affected populations of Palestine, Israel and Lebanonwhere I ask that respect UN peacekeepers. I pray for all the victimsfor the displaced, for the hostages who I hope they are released immediatelyand I hope that this great useless suffering generated by hatred and revenge ends soon,” he expressed.
“Brothers and sisters, war is an illusion. It will never bring peace or security,” he warned.
Tension grows between Israel and Lebanon
Despite the Pope’s request, the conflict fronts seem far from reaching a peace agreement. This Sunday, the Foreign Minister of Iran, Abbas Araghchistated that his country is “fully prepared for a war situation.” Anyway, He reiterated that his government wants “peace”.
The warning went to Israel, in a context of maximum tension in Middle East due to armed confrontations.
“We are fully prepared for a war situation. We are not afraid of war, but we do not want it, we want peace and we will work for a just peace in Gaza and Lebanon“he declared during a visit to Baghdad, the capital of Iraq.
This Saturday, a new bombing iseaelí in Lebanon left at least 51 deadreported this Sunday the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
According to an AFP account, based on official figures, since the intensification of Israeli bombings against positions of the Islamist movement Hezbollah On September 23, there were already more than 1,300 people dead in Lebanon.
Source: Ambito
